Our human heritage, the sum of what it is to be human has obvious traits and abilities and those that are more subtle. Like science discovers things about the world and ourselves we can utilise (for better or worse), so there are aspects of being human that we can find and use (hopefully for the better) for ourselves, without the need to change external things or use external things to change us.

The essence of Raja Yoga is to explore and find these subtle aspects while Hatha Yoga explores the more obvious ones. This requires us to gain an understanding, and with real understanding it’s very difficult not to transform. The transforming and positive change that ripples through us enables further exploration and understanding of the subtle. It’s a positive feedback loop that becomes self motivating in time.

“Yoga is this one-pointed union, where one is absorbed in one’s original nature, not distracted by extraneous influences and frantatic working’s of the mind.” (pg.31 Seeing Yoga by Swami Nityamuktananda Saraswati, 2005)

What do we mean by this? How many times have you forgotton what you were about to do or became distracted from what you were doing? Distracted by thoughts. Ever ended up finding yourself daydreaming and then remember what it was you were doing? It happens alot to me, for example if im walking along and then end up thinking of all sorts of things, suddenly I remember I have missed all the sights and sounds and experiences of of the walk. I have no recollection of buildings and people I have passed. The opposite is to be full aware without distraction, and to be in control of your own mind. This takes time and effort to attain, and practice of certain techniques is the path.

However we first must become interested and motivated, initially in what ever small and minor way, to engage in this process. The path of exploration into the subtle has a begining, and the right guidance is required to make real and sustained progress. Knowledge and the path of learning, as can be seen with science, has no end. Once scientific principles emerged and first human starting scientific exploration, that was it, there will be no end. Yoga sutra I.1 (see translations below) refers to this moment, the start and also explaines that without practice no true progress can be made.

“The problem is that the average seeker is too preoccupied with the mind’s chatter to look at the mind itself; this lack of awareness is the failing we all suffer from.” (pg.31 Seeing Yoga by Swami Nityamuktananda Saraswati, 2005)

Yoga is concerned with the whole person, it is as they say holistic. The body, breath, mind and spiritual (whatever your definition of spiritualality is) aspects. There are many approaches to the progression of yoga, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one such book of knowledge. The first two nuggets of gold and guidance (called sutra, knot of wisdom to be unfolded and understood), are as follows;

“The restraint of the modifications of the mind stuff is Yoga.” (Swami Vivekananda, 2007)

“Yoga is the ability to direct the mind exlusively towards an object and sustain focus in that direction without any distractions” (T K V Desikachar, 1987)

Yoga sutra I.2 (above) gives us some idea of what we are aiming for. Without knowing where we are going (assuming we are going anywhere), it is impossible to move in that direction (is there any movement?). The yoga sutras form what we would know to be a map of the terroritary of subtle and profound human experience. The yoga experts, Gurus, Swami’s and teachers are there to be our guide.

The question then arrises, are you ready to explore? or happy to be as you are? Is everything as it should be in your life, or are there moments that cause you pain and unhappiness? Are there things you don’t understand about yourself or others? Would you like to be more confident or mentally healthy? Do you suffer from depression or feelings and thoughts you sometimes find difficult to handle? Well in that case maybe it’s time to add a sprinkling of Raja Yoga to your life and move beyond the limits you are finding in your life.

Take a look at yoga sutra I.1, it says concentration is explained (Swami Vivekananda), and then look at sutra I.2 where it talks about directing the mind exlusivly towards an object (physical or not). When you concentrate on something, you must be fully aware of it otherwise you are not focussed on it. To be concentrated means you are without distraction, you are fully immeresed in, or aware of the object of concentration. Here object can be anything, not even a physical thing. Now the confusion might arrise as to how and why concentration is so important. The explanation involves the not immediatly obvious benefits and effects conferred when an individual is in a state of true concentration (or awareness) or part way towards this state. Therefore the answer to the enquiry of why, what and how are only answered by direct experience, and direct experience is only gained through doing. Like anything that becomes perfected (e.g. playing an instrument), ones ability to excel and do better improves only through practice. This is why meditation is so important. In order to meditate you need to be able to sit, let go (relax) and surrender. In order to sit comfortably long enough to experience these states, you need a comfortable position. A strong, flexible and healthy body needs to be developed in order to sit appropriatly.

The relevance and effect of attending yoga class, practicing physical postures, breathing (paranayama) and relaxation (and/or meditation) could be a whole book in it’s own right. However it is important, to at least know there is a link and relevance of attending yoga classes or doing personal practice. The class supports the personal practice, and the practice supports the class in the end. I hope this gives you a better appreciation of yoga.

Remember that each time you attend a yoga class or practice at home, some progress is being made even if you don’t see or realise it is happening. This is something I have seen happen in and for myself and in others. Unfortnantly real understanding has to be attained for oneself as Swami Vivekandanda says so well, “Experience is the only teacher we have”. So easy it is for people to make their mind up about something they have never done, normally based upon fear or lack of understanding. It’s okay not to have tried something, but can you really hold an oppinion about it if you haven’t?

Real Purpose of Hatha Yoga

"Just to improve the physical health is not enough. The mental health must also improve, the nature must change, the personality must change, the psychological and psychic frame work also has to change. You should not merely feel freedom from disease, but freedom from bondage and from vagaries of the mind. Now, the time has come when teachers in every part of the world must understand and transmit the true spirit of hatha yoga. " - Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Swami Muktibodhananda